Courses

ENDS-400

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Written approval of course instructor

Department Code: ENS

The Directed Study ensemble will study and perform a specific genre or artist of their liking. In this course, students will participate in weekly supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience in performing the particular directed studies' compositions. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ENDS-405

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Written approval of course instructor

Department Code: ENS

The Directed Study ensemble will study and perform a specific genre or artist of their liking. In this course, students will participate in weekly supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience in performing the particular directed studies' compositions. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

This course enables students to enhance their ensemble-playing skills, deepen their knowledge of a particular style and its associated repertory, and develop their individual performance identities. Students develop their ability to create and perform music in a particular style. Working under the direction of a senior faculty member, students complete exercises that enhance their intonation, articulation, and improvisational skills in an ensemble context. Students learn to maintain stylistic integrity by developing their awareness of the melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic practices associated with a particular repertory.

ENEL-221

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Written approval of course instructor

Department Code: ENS

A small contemporary ensemble consisting of synthesizers and other electronics, typically along with a rhythm section composed of drum set and electric bass. The ensemble will develop a concert-ready performance based upon improvisation, extended performance techniques, sound design, and grooves.

ENEL-403

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Written approval of course instructor

Department Code: ENS

An open forum for development of live performance multi-instrumental duo/trio ensembles consisting of electronic, electro/acoustic, and acoustic sources. The class splits into a number of smaller groups working on two compositions and playing in class on a rotating schedule for discussion and critique. Use of a variety of instrumental approaches such as controls surfaces, audio/MIDI processing, MAX/MSP patches, any instruments.

ENEL-404

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Written approval of course instructor

Department Code: ENS

Members of the Turntable ensemble will compose, improvise, and perform music that incorporates the turntable as a musical instrument, informed by the traditions of hip-hop, jazz, soul, and other related styles. In this course, students will participate in weekly supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience in performing in a variety of styles and settings. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ENFF-200

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 3

Department Code: ENS

Level 3 Funk ensemble will study and perform seminal music from the funk genre including music from the 1970s to the current era. The focus of the class will be on creating a funky feel, imitating classic instrumental parts, as well as improvising and creating style-specific parts. Students will gain experience in discussion, researching, and performing the various styles of funk. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ENFF-201

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 3

Department Code: ENS

The Retro Funk/Fusion ensemble will study and perform the music of Herbie Hancock, Ramsey Lewis, Soulive, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Roberta Flack, Joe Zawinul, and Donny Hathaway, and others. In this course, students will participate in weekly, supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience of performing music in the genre of retro funk/fusion, using music from traditional and contemporary artists. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy. Some material will be prearranged with individual parts, other material will be arranged during the class, by the instructor and the ensemble, from lead sheets. After midterms, an attempt will be made to consider material (original or covers) from the students that is consistent with the genre. In addition, students will be given the opportunity to direct the performance of material covered during the class.

ENFF-220

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 4

Department Code: ENS

Level 4 Funk/Fusion ensemble will study and perform seminal music from the funk/fusion genre including music from the 1970s to the current era. The focus of the class will be on creating a funky feel, imitating classic instrumental parts, as well as improvising and creating style specific parts. Additionally, the students will be introduced to the harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic component of jazz, rock, and Latin that create the genre of funk/fusion. Students will gain experience in discussion, researching, and performing the various styles of funk/fusion. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ENFF-221

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 4

Department Code: ENS

Level 4 Funk/R&B ensemble will study and perform seminal music from the funk and R&B genre including music from the 1970s to the current era. The focus of the class will be on creating a funky feel, imitating classic instrumental parts, as well as, style specific improvising including the creation of style specific parts. Students will gain experience in discussion, researching, and performing the various styles of funk and R&B. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ENFF-300

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 5

Department Code: ENS

The George Duke/George Benson ensemble will transcribe, study and perform the music of George Duke and George Benson. In this course, students will participate in weekly supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience in transcribing, performing arrangements from the original recording. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.

ENFF-301

1 credit(s)

Course Chair: Ron Savage

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer

Required of: None

Electable by: All

Prerequisites: Overall ensemble rating 5

Department Code: ENS

The Music of Steve Coleman ensemble will study and perform the music of Steve Coleman as well as original music by the members of the ensemble. In this course, students will participate in weekly supervised rehearsals. Students will gain experience in performing modern jazz fusion with odd time signatures, superimposed time signatures, and unusual form and structure. Emphasis will be given to stylistic integrity, as well as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic accuracy.